Mail box



April 21, 1925. 1,534,920

c. N. cox

, MAIL BOX Filed June '7, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 b) 0 DE! Q E] 7 m :5 Q U E M Q: h Gwg; 03 I m J ym 5% g mm 926 WlTNESS: ATTORNEY April 21, 1925.

C. N. COX

MAIL BOX Filed June '7, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WITNESS:

ATTO R N EY April 21, 1925. 1,534,920

C. N. COX

MA-IL BOX Filed June '7, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 L i & i

d. .m Oox- INVENTOR QQWQ a WITNESS:

A ril 21, 1925.

C. N. COX I MAIL BOX 5 SheetS -Sheet 4 Filed June '7, 1924 A'ITORNE" April 21, 1925.

C. N. COX

MAIL BOX.

Filed June '7, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 W do (5 ATTORNEY WITNESS:

Patented Apr. 21, 1925.

iFf'liCZ'E CHARLESN. 00X, 0F QROVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

lMAIL BOX.

T 0 all no 710m it may. concern:

Be ,it known tthat I, C AR S ,N. Cox, ,a citizen -;o ;th United States, esiding la Oroville, in the. county of Butte and State of California, have invented new and useflll Improvements in Mail Boxes, of which the following is u'specifieation.

1t is-th-e enerel object of theipr esent invention,=to;provide a mailihox designed for use by those living n-greeteiu or lessdistance from the route of-the carrier inrural distriets,the boxes-being ar-ranged ateertain points so that these persons-eon.receine; their mail za-nd deposit meilto be col-leeteclivithoutithe necessity :otnmking long trips to the postoflice.

In carrying out 1, the invention, ,1, contemplate 7 the provision of; sturn; table mounted Within the box proper, the table supporting a pluuality of auxiliary boxes, access to which can i only be (obtained 1 by .the yowner or usenoi' said boxes, in combinationuwith means for automatically rotating the,turn table incident to r the/ opening of the door of the 'box proper, I so thatany ,Of; the auxiliaryxboxes canbe brought before thedoor openingbyfsthe 1 users: of i the L box OIQbIY the carrier.

'Theinvent-io-n also embodiesm maili receivingboxmounted upon the outside, of the mninbox, and into which the; maili to: be: collooted by 'the carrier is deposited by @the users of the box, this ;receiv-ingbox being of novel construction sothet the box proper can; be removed from its casin g to facilitate depositing O E't11B;mE1-l1:ilDtO{fl mail seek or the like.

,A further object of the invention-resides in theprovijsion of, enlindicator supported exterior ly of the main box, end automatically operated when; the door of any; auxiliary box is open 10 :t purposetof depos ting mail @thereinto, so that the .owner of -this partioular box Wilhbe notifiedqvhenqmail hasbeen delivered ithout the necessity of openin'g the box for; this purpose.

The nature gand advantages of the invention-Will jbe better understood when; the--following detailed description is read in conneetion Witlrthe accompanyin-gi drawings, the invention residing 1 in the construction, combination and vurrangement lot I parts as claimed. 7

:In the drawings forming part of this e-pplica tion, like numerals of; reference indicate 1924. ,SerialgNo. 21,8,602.

similar parts in the several ,views, and wherein:

,Figure 1 is-e vieWin elevation of theibox forming the subject matterrof the present invention.

Figure 2 is a verticalseetional View therethrough. v

Figure 3 iso sectional viewteken on,the line 3. 3,of Figure 2.

Figure Lise sectional viewtaken on the line 4-14 ofFigure 32. i I Y Fig ure 5 isfa,viewsimiler to Figure =2 showing the 7 door of the main box and ,a door ofoneofthe auxiliary boxes opened.

Eigureb issdeteil yieivof themdjnstable stopfor theturutable.

Figure 7 is a, sectional vView taken 30.11 :the line,7.,7-of Figurefi. I

.F'igureS is u detztil YiQW O ftlmlaC lLbill showing how it isessociated .With the shaft of the;t urn table.

,Figure 9 is we iew taken at a, rightungle to Figure 8. V i t Figure 10 is a plan ,vieW'ofthemaclobar showing its support and guiding .n eaus in section. I Figure l1 is alet-oil sectional yiew shosw mg the manner of .supporting the. pinions on the shaft, ofthe turntable. v

Figure 12 is 2i ertical sectional view through the "indicator.

Figured?) isn ,detuil View,,of,o11e. .of,the drums oonstituting part oflhe indicator. Figure 14 is ,a sectional View taken ,on, the line l4.1 l ofFigureQ. I

Figure 15 a. vertical sectional fliQSV through the mail receivingibox arra-nged exteriorly of. themain box.

FFigure 16 is ,a. sectional niew taken ,onthe line 1i6 16 ofg Figure 1'5.

actuating the latch meztns sh0,Wn in ;'Figure 1-6, for holding; ,tl e box, pos itioned.=with- 1n-;-1ts outer;casi,ng.

Referring to the drawings'iniidetail, 10 represen s e-mai vK wh c nma-y b anyvsuitable size and COHfighllfEtt-iQll for the pulipose intended, ,and su-pported in L any suitable ,mgrnner. Arranged directly beneath the bottom ,of this-box is a. smaller box having a d00r312. "'Ehese @boxes are;-.pre;ferably supported upon e post iuclioatedet; Arranged Within; the en in -boxl Ois e; plurality -of1 auxil;iary;boxes 14L, and inflaccondonce I with-the present invention, it is; the intention that each of these boxes is rented by a person living along-a rural delivery route, so that the said person can receive his or her mail, and deposit mail to be collected within a reasonable distance from their residence thereby eliminatinglong trips to the post oiiice inasmuch as these boxes are adapted to be arranged at suitable points along the route. In addition to having access to these auxiliary boxes 14, each owner is entitled to use one of the compartments 14c of a suitable receptacle. 16 arranged for rotation within the smaller auxiliary. box 11 above referred to. It is to be understood that any number of the boxes 14 can be embodied in the construction, but for the purpose of illustration I have shown four of such boxes, and four compartments 15 in the receptacle 16 tobe used by the respective owners of the boxes 14. These compart ments 15 are reasonably large and are adapted to receive packages or other articles too large to be deposited within the auxiliary boxes 14:, the latter being exclusively used for mail matter such as letters and the like. It will be noted upon inspection of Figure 14 that the receptacle 16 is provided with an additional larger compartment 17 adapted to be used by anyone entitled to the use of the box, for the purpose of depositing packages which are too large to be deposited in the mail receiving box 18 arranged exteriorly of the main box 10 and supported thereon in any suitable manner.

Supported upon the small box 11 is an indicator adapted to be used by the carrier to indicate when this particular box contains packages for the respective owners or users of the compartments 15. This indicator comprises a frame like structure 19 supported by suitable brackets 20 which are secured to the box 11. This frame 19 is provided with the names of the different owners or users of the compartments 15 and ar ranged to slide over each name plate and within the frame 19 isa slide 21. Normally these slides 21 conceal all of the names from view, but when packages are deposited in the compartments belonging to Roe or J. Doe, the slides 20 are pulled outwardly to expose these names. Consequently, the owners of these particular compartments will be thus notified that there has been packages deposited in their respective compart ments in the box 11.

The box in which mail matterisdeposited to be collected by the carrier is indicated at 18, but this in reality represents the outer casing of the box which is provided with a mail receiving slot 22. This casing is opened at its lower end to receive the box proper indicated at 23 Figure 15, which box is "opened at its upper end, so that when the carrier desires to remove the mail matter from this box. he removes the box 23 from the lower end of the casing 18, by means of a combined key and handle such as shown in Figure 17, whereupon the box 23 can be handled like a scoop to facilitate depositing of all the mail contained in this receptacle into a mail bag or other suitable receptacle.

Upon inspection of Figure 16 it will be noted that the bottom of this receptacle or box 23 ms mounted thereon a pair of pivoted latch members 24:, each of which is influenced by a spring 25 which holds the latch members in notches or grooves 26 formed in the opposed side walls of the casing 18, and this of course maintains the receptacle 23 within the easing. This receptacle 23 is also provided with a false bottom 26 which covers this latch mechanism when the receptacle 23 is positioned within its casing, thereby protecting this mechanism from rain, snow or the like. This bottom 27 is provided with a keyhole slot 28 to receive the combined key and handle 29 shown in Figure 17. This element is carried on the person of the carrier, and when it is desired to empty the receptacle 23, it is only necessary to insert the key and handle 29 within the key hole slot just referred to. This element is provided with oppositely disposed tapered lugs 30 which when the key is initially inserted occupies positions between the adjacent ends ofthe latch members 24, so that when the key is given a half turn it moves the latch members 24; in opposite directions out of the notches or grooves 26 and allows the receptacle 23 to be withdrawn from the bottom of the casing 18 by means of the handle 29 to be emptied. If desired, this box may be provided with a signal to inform the carrier when mail is contained within the receptacle 23, the signal preferably being in the nature of an arm 31 Figure 1 pivoted on one side of the easing and supporting a flag 32. When there is no mail in the box, the arm 31 occupies a horizontal position resting upon the pin 33, but after mail has been deposited within this box to be collected, the person so depositing the mail is supposed to swing the signal arm 31 to a vertical'position such as shown in Figure 1, in which position, the arm rests against the pin 34.

As above stated, the auxiliary boxes 14 arranged within the main box 10 are supported on a turn table indicated at 35 which table is provided with a depending ledge or wall 36. The turn table is mounted upon a shaft 37 which is journalled in a suitable bearing adjacent the top of the box indicated at 38 and on a suitable bearing point 39 adjacent the lower end of thebox. Carried by this shaft adjacent its upper end is a plate 39' having upstanding lugs 40, and terminally connected with each lug and one of the boxes 14 is a bracing element 11. Each box 14; is provided with a door 42 hinged at the 'sequently,'when the door43'o'f the main bo'x lower "end (if the box and adapted to be swung outwardly through the door opening of the main box 10 after the door therefore is swung to an open position, this latter mentioned doorbeingindicated at 43. Supporteduponthe box lOis a ledge or shelf H upon which letters or the like may be arranged for theipurpose of addressing letters and payingstamps orthe like, and in addition to that 'fact itmay also be used to support the door 43 in an open'p'osition as shown in Figure '5. The door 43 for the main b02110 carries an arm 45 on the lower end of which is arranged :a roller 46 and the normalposition of this arm and roller is clearly shown in Figure 2, wherein itwill be noted that the arm is arranged vertically within the d001 43 wh'en the latter isclosed. The arm is'adapted to move with the door, so that when the door is-swun'p; to an' open positionythisarm 45 is arranged horizontally as-shown in Figure 5. Thisiarm is directly instrumental in rotatin'g'the turntable 35"Wl16I1 the door is opened, and thereby allow-the boxes l-ibto be-selectively brought into a position directly behind the main door opening ofthe 130x19, in order to allow the door of this aiixiliary box to be opened "as will be readily understood. v

*For thispurpose I- make use of a rack bar 47 which is mounted to slide 1 between spaced pairs of guide rollers 48 mounted in suitable brackets 49, a'nd the teeth 50 0f thisyb'a'r a're adapte'd to mesh witlr the teeth Of al pinand arranged between spaced disks 52, Figure 2. Arranged 'dire'ctly' above t he'uppermost disk 5'2 and"'keyed or otheiwvise seeure'd to the shaft 31- is a' pinion 53*wit h' which '00- operates f a Ipair* of 1 spring pressed pawls*5-1 which allows the =rack bar to move in" one direction without imparting" rotation-to the shaft 37, but to 'rotate' theshaft when moved in an'opposite direction. It will be noted that these spring? pressed pawls "54 are carried'bythe uppermost disk 52, andronse- 'quently'when the rack bar 47 is moved inwardly, the pinion 51'" idles onthe shaft 37, but the pawls 54 provide aconnection between this pinion 51 and the. pinion '53 when the rack bar ismove'din an outward or reverse direction at Whichtimeashztit 37 and the-turn table are rotated. *The raolr bar 47 is initially moved inwardly by: the roller 46 carried bythe 'arm 45 incident tothe "opening; of thedoor 43='of the main box 10, and as this rack bar is moved "inwardly it tensionsa substantially S-shaped' spring 55 which has one' en'd secured tothe'raelr bar 47 and its" other end suitably connected with themain box lO as shown in- Figure i. -6011- is opened and the rack bar moved inwardly *as 'stated; this spring 55 is'pl'aced under tension, so that whenthedoor 43 is fu'lly opened, the spring comes into use to reverse the r movementof the rack: bar 47, and thus rotate the turn table 85. It will be noted upon inspection of Figures'S to 10 inclusive that the rack bar has pivoted thereon an arm 56 which is connected with aspring pressed pawl 57 whiohslides transversely t-hrongh anopening in'the rack bar dT-and which pawlnormally maintains-thearm 56 in the positions shown in FiguresS, 9 andlO. This arm projects a slight distance beyond the end of the rack bar 47 and is 5 formed with a relatively wide angular shaped extremity 58, whichporti'on of the arm is contacted by th'e roller 4C7 to movethe rack barinwardly when the-door is opened asabove described. By reason of this construction, however, when'the door 4L3 is swung to a closed-position;the roller 46:50 contacts the angularextremity 58 of the arm 56 that it movesthe latter uponitspivot to an out of the way position,- thereby allowing the arm 4t'5'and the roller it to assume its normal position I when the door is closed.

Now, in order to i check the "rotation of u'res=6"and 7, and whichpreferablylconsists OfE'ZL-SiliLPfiQ OfE'nIGtal or other suitable-material which I is pivoted l as at #60011 the wall of the anain 'box 10. The freevend ot this -a'djustable strap 59 is'ofi'set as at'til' toiprovide a lug capable of bein g arranige d in the path of movement of any one 'of thestop =pins 62 carried :by the "depending 'wall 36 of-the turn table. In other words, this turn table isprovided-witlro11e stop:.p-in for each box "14, the various pins-"62 beingarranged in staggered relation with 1 each 'other, "so that the strap 59 can be adjustedto arrange thestop lug 61 thereof in'the path of-move inent otany'one otthe pins (32; and in-th-is way bring the particular box desired to n POSitiODJ CliIQOtlY behind the (1001" opening of the main "box 10. The strap 59 1S equipped with au'leat spring 63 arranged adj acent thestop 'lu'g 61 the: spring is adapted to be engaged by the pins on the-turn table to check or retard-the rotation oft-he table =j-ustprior to the contact of-thesepins with 1 the stop "lugs 61, and thereby 1 protect both the pins 62=and the-stop lug 61from any unduestress orimpact. Whilewarious ways maywbe -employed to effect/an adjustment of the strap '59, '1 preferably make use of a rod' 64: having its lower end pivotal-1y connected'with the strap '59 centrally thereof. This bar is arranged inside" of the main box 10 and supports: an annulus or strap 65 atits' upper end inwhich O'peratesJan-eccentric 66 carried by=theshatt or the pint? which proj ects throughian"opening in the main box 10. This shaft or pin' is iournalled in opposed walls of a casing 68 supported on the outside of the main box 10 and which casing is of substantially U-shaped formation in cross section as shown in Figure '7. Supported on the shaft or pin 67 is a handle 69 by means of which the eccentric is operated from the outside of the box to adjust the band, the outer wall of this casing 68 is provided with indicating characters 70, such as 1, 2, 8 and 4 representing the different boxes supported on the turn table. An indicating pointer or finger 71 is carried by the handle and arranged to move over these indicating characters so that the handle can be adjusted any particular degree to regulate the degree of rotation of the turn table for the purpose specified. For instance, if it is desired to bring the box X illustrated in Figure 8 into a position directly behind the door opening of the main box 10 incident to the opening .of the door thereof, the handle 69 is turned to bring an indicating finger 21 coincident with the indicating character 3 011 the easing 68, during which operation of the handle, the adjustable strap 59 is moved upon its pivot to position the stop lugs 61 thereof in the path of movement of the pin carried by this particular box X. Manifestly, by adjusting the strap 59 upon its pivot, the stop 61 can be positioned in the path of movement of the pin carried by any particular box for the purpose of checking the rotation of the turn table when said particular box is brought before the door open ing of the box 10.

Mounted upon the outside of the box 10 adjacent the door 48 is an indicator automatically operable by the opening of the door 42 of the particular box 14 brought before the door opening. This indicator comprises a box or casing 78, the front wall of which is provided with a plurality of sight openings 74, Figure 12, behind which is arranged a transparent panel 75. Journalled in this box or casing is a plurality of hexagonal men' bers 76 clearly illustrated in Figure 18, and there is one of these members for each person entitled to use one of the boxes 14 carried by the turn table. The name of the said person appears on every alternate side of the hexagonal member, so as to bring the name of the person before the sight opening every time the door 42 of the box 14 is opened by the mail carrier, thereby indicating to theowner that mail has been deposited for him within the box 14. By having the owners name appear on every other side of this member 76, it will be noted that the member is rotated one degree when the door is opened by the carrier to bring the owners name before the sight opening 7 4, but when the door is subsequently opened by the owner in order to obtain the mail matter deposited within the box, the member 76 is again rotated one degree bringing the blank side of the member before the sight openin The members 76 are arranged in superimposed relation within the box 73, and each includes a disk like member 77 at one end thereof, the periphery of which is formed with a circumferential series of depressions 78 arranged to receive the rounded extremity 7 9 of the resilient element 80 secured at its lower end to a strip 81 which in turn is suitably secured to the box 73. The depressions 7 8 successively receive the rounded extremity 79 of the resilent element, and thereby holds the hexagonal member 7 6 against retrograde movement and at the same time limits the movement of this member a certain degree with each opening of the door 42. Rising from the strip 81 for each member 76 is a resilient arm 82 from the upper extremity of which extends an arm 83 carrying a lug 84. The free end of the arm 83 is adapted to repose upon one of a circumferential series of pins 85 projecting from the disk 77, and obviously, as the member is rotated one degree in a manner to be presently described, the arm 83 moves from the pin on which it was supported onto the next pin in order. As shown in Figure 12, when the arm 83 isisupported by one of the pins 85, the lug 84 is arranged directly behind the particular pin, so that when the arm 83 is moved in one direction, the lug 84 engages said pin and rotates the hexagonal member a predetermined distance. As above stated this indicating member 76 is thus rotated incident to the opening of the door 42 of the particular box 14 brought before the door opening ofthe main box 10 and for this purpose, I make use of a substantially Z-shaped arm 86, Figure 5, one of which is arranged within each box 14. The arm is provided with a slot 87 to receive pins 88 projecting from the wall of the box 14 in which it is arranged, and which pins limit the sliding movement of the arm 86 in opposite directions. The arm is moved by reason of. this connection with the door 42 of the box, this connection being made by means ofa link 89 clearly illus trated in Figure 5, the upper and the free end of each arm is offset as at 90 and carries an adjusting screw 91 adapted to be projected through the door opening of the main box 10 when the door42 of one of the auxiliary boxes is swung to an open position through the same door as shown in Figure 5. The screw 91 when thus projected is brought into contact with one of the arms 82 of one of the indicating hexagonal 1116111- bers 76, operating this arm and the arm 83' to rotate the member 76 a predetermined distance. When the door 42 of the particular box 14 is closed, the arm 86 is moved to its normal position within thebox 14 inasmuch as the indicating members 76 are arranged :in superimposed relation within the boxr78, it is necessaryqto arrange the upper: ends of: the arms 861m. different, planes" in,

order to operate the particular indicating member for -a particular: box wherrthe lat ter is brought; before the door opening ofthe, main box 10,;andthis arrange-mentis clearly shown in Figure 5, wherein itwill be notedthatthe adjusting screw Slatthe left handside= of this figure is arranged'm a out, I desire to; -haye it understood. that I do notlimitm-yself to what is-he'rein shown and descr bed, and I that such changes may be resorted to 'When desired as fallwithin,

the scope of what is claimed.

Having-thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A mail box. having a door, a rotatable member arrange-d therein, a plurality of auxiliary boxes carried by said member, means for rotating said member and initially actuated upon the opening of said door, and means for checking the rotation of said member to bring any of said auxiliary boxes directly behind the door opening.

2. A mail box having a door opening, a door therefore, a rotatable member arranged Within the box, a plurality of auxiliary boxes supported on said member, means for rotating said member, pins projecting from the rotatable member and arranged in staggered relation, and an adjustable stop adapted to be arranged in the path of movement of any particular pin to stop the rotation of said member with any particular box arranged behind the door opening.

3. A mail box having a door opening, a door therefore, a rotatable member, a plurality of auxiliary boxes supported by said member, means for rotating said member and put into operation incident to the opening of said door, plurality of pinsprojecting from said rotatable member and arranged in staggered relation, an adjustable stop adapted to be arranged in the path of movementof any pin to checkthe rotation of said member at a predetermined interval, and means operable from the outside of the box for effecting an adjustment of said stop.

4. A mail box having a door opening, a door therefore, a rotatable member mounted Within the box, aplurality of auxiliary boxes supported upon the rotatable member, means for rotating said member including a sliding rack bar, means carried by the door for shifting the rack bar in one direction when the door is opened independently of; any movement of saidrotatable member, resilient means for reversing themorement of-said rack bar whereuponthe, rotatable member is actuated for checking the rotation of saidtable to bring any of, the auxiliary boxes. directly behind the door openin 5. A mail box having a door opening therefore, a shaft, a rotatable member supported by said shaft, a plurality of auxiliary boxes arranged upon said member, means forrotatingsaid member and including a pinion fixedupon the shaft, a second pinion loosely mounted onthe shaft,- a vrack bar meshing with the second mentioned pinion, anelement carried by. the door and adapted to engage the shaft of the rack bar in one direction when the door is opened without imparting rotation to said rotatable member, resilient means for reversing.

the movement of said rack bar, means, for,

connecting the loose pinion with the fixed P1111011 to rotate said member when the rack.

bar is moved inthe last mentioned direction, and adjustable means for stopping the rotation of said member to bring any particular auxiliary box to a position directly behind the door opening.

6. A mail box having a door opening, a door therefore, a rotatable member arranged within the box, a plurality of auxiliary boxes supported on said member, means for rotating said member and initially actuated upon the opening of said door, a plurality of pins projecting from the said member and arranged in staggered relation, an element pivoted at one end Within the box and formed with a stop lug at its free end, a rod connected with said element, an eccentric supporting said rod, and operable from the exterior of said box to effect an adjustment of said element, and position said lug in the path of movement of any particular pinion and thereby regulate the degree of rotation of the member for the purpose specified.

7. A mail box having a door opening, a door therefore, a rotatable member arranged within the box, a plurality of auxiliary boxes supported by said member, means for rotating the member, adjustable means for stopping said member when any of said auxiliary boxes is positioned behind the door opening, a pivoted door for each auxiliary box adapted to extend through the door opening of the main box, a casing supported on the outside of the latter mentioned box, an indicator for each auxiliary box mounted within said casing and including a rotatable element, and means actuated upon the opening of the door of each auxiliary box for operating the particular indicator there fore.

8. A mail box having a door opening, a door therefore, a rotatable member Within the box, means for rotating said member, adjustable means for stopping said member when any of said auxiliary boxes is positioned behind said door Opening, a casing supported on the main box, an indicator for each auxiliary box arranged Within said casing and including a rotatable member, a pivoted door for each auxiliary box adapted to extend through the door opening of the main box when opened, and means carried by each auxiliary box and adapted to be projected through the door opening of the main box When said doors are opened, and rotate the particular indicating member therefore, and means for preventing the retrograde movement of said indicating member and to limit the rotation thereof step by step.

9. A mail box having a door opening, a door therefore, a rotatable member ar-. ranged Within the box, a plurality of auxiliary boxes carried by the rotatable member, means for rotating said member, an adjustable stop means for checking the rotation of said member to arrange any of said auxiliary boxes behind said door opening, a pivoted door for each auxiliary box and adapted to extend through the door opening of the main box When opened, a casing arranged exteriorly of the main box, an indicator for each, auxiliary box arranged Within said casing and including a hexagonal rotatable element having indicating indicia on every alternate side thereof, an angular shaped arm arranged Within the auxiliary box for sliding movement, means connecting each arm With'the door of said auxiliary box whereby said arm is projected through the door opening of the main box upon the opening of the door of the auxiliary box to rotate sald indicating element, means providing a connection'between said arm and the rotatable element, and means for limiting the rotation of the elements step by step.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHARLES N. COX 

